Rotary cutlery carriers



Aug. 25, 1964 M. L. MAYER ETAL ROTARY CUTLERY CARRIE Filed July 17, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 25, 1964 M. MAYER ETAL ROTARY CUTLERY CARRIERS Fil ed July 17, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 .lvva/vraks. M17046 L MEYER Bee 7 Aug. 25, 1964 M. L. MAYER ETAL ROTARY CUTLERY CARRIERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 17, 1962 M y 6 QM M 7125 ll 7 W J 7 V1 0 7 fiw cv M 1964 M. L. MAYER ETAL 3,145,510

ROTARY CUTLERY CARRIERS Filed July 17, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,145,510 ROTARY CUTLERY CARRIERS Mitchell L. Mayer, 9 Crosby Ave., Deal, N.J.; Howard T.

Brey, 497 Gansevoort Blvd, Staten Island, N.Y.; and

Harry Stein, 60 Twin Oaks Oval, Springfield, NJ.

Filed July 17, 1962, Ser. No. 210,600 15 Claims. (Cl. 51-164) (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), see. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

This invention relates to an apparatus for use in washing cutlery, and particularly, to a cutlery carrier having an element within which various items of cutlery such as knives, forks, spoons, and the like may be placed and caused to tumble as the carrier proceeds longitudinally on the track of a conveyor-type dishwasher.

Public health requires the highest degree of cleanliness in connection with the rendition of nutritional services to large groups of people. However, it is a common occurrence to encounter an inadequately cleaned piece of cutlery such as a knife, fork or spoon during the course of a meal at some public establishment. These items of cutlery usually become contaminated with grease and decayable remnants after they have been used to either cut, serve or eat food during the course of a previous meal. It is essential that these items be thoroughly cleaned before they are used again or else a consumer of a meal who is provided with any of these contaminated implements may be subject to diarrhea and various other physical conditions which could prove dangerous to his health.

There are many methods by which these implements may be cleaned, some of which are time consuming and archaic in nature. In the first instance, the implements may be washed by hand, but this is a slow and tedious process and especially ineificient where a large group is being catered to. In another instance, the implements may be cleaned through the use of an automatic washer which is designed to handle these items in bulk fashion. These machines are usually fast but the effectiveness of the washing treatment depends to a large extent upon an adequate exposure of the implements to the various cleaning solutions.

Where an automatic machine is used to clean the cutlery, a carrier is usually used to transport the implements through the wash-zone of the machine. It is usual practice to either place the individual pieces of cutlery into an open tray-like corner or to place them in a container supported in an upright position by a carrier designed for this purpose. Due to the fact that the cutlery, in either case, is stationary as the carrier progresses through the wash-zone of the machine, the initial position of the various pieces of cutlery will determine the effectiveness of the washing procedure. In the former practice, the pieces would have to be placed in the carrier piece by piece in order to insure that the individual implements are not mashed or covered by another implement and, therefore, not effectually exposed to the cleansing solution. However, this would not be practical if it were necessary to place the implements in an upright container as in the latter procedure. But, in either case, if the implements are not separated in the manner set forth, there is a likelihood that some of the individual implements will not be adequately cleaned, thereby necessitating a piece by piece inspection to insure cleanliness and this can be a time consuming procedure.

We have invented an apparatus in the form of a carrier for use in washing cutlery in bulk which will impart a rotary motion to the soiled items as they proceed through an automatic washing machine. In this way, a larger surface area on each of the individually soiled items is presented to the cleansing and rinsing solutions as the items are passed through the wash-zone of the machine. When the present apparatus is used to wash cutlery, it is not required to prearrange the individual items prior to the washing operation, nor is a post inspection of the individual items needed to insure cleanliness, because each and every item of cutlery passed through the automatic washer in this apparatus is thoroughly cleaned in one operation. As a result, a large number of individual items of cutlery may be eifectively cleaned in one fast and ellicient operation through the use of the present apparatus.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an apparatus in the form of a carrier of improved construction for use in cleaning various items of cutlery effectively and efficiently in one operation.

Another object is to provide an apparatus in the form of a carrier of improved construction for use with a conveyor-type washing machine in the cleaning of various items of cutlery.

A further object is to provide an apparatus in the form of a cutlery carrier of low fabrication and maintenance cost, light weight, high durability and facile in use under a wide variety of service conditions.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cutlery carrier, showing a preferred embodiment of the subject apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a side view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1, showing a set of rotary elements in operative association with the structural frame of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sorting rack during the loading operation;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the initial position of the locking device provided on the cylindrical element of the present apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a view taken on line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the second or locked position of the locking device provided on the cylindrical element;

FIG. 7 is a view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view taken on line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is an end View taken on line 10-19 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the subject apparatus.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The subject invention, as shown in FIG. 1, is an apparatus in the form of a carrier for use in the washing of cutlery having aligned elongated members, 12 and 12', between which extend a plurality of transversely disposed support members, 13, 14 and 15, carrying at speed intervals therealong a plurality of rotatable perforated cylinders 16 within which various utensils such as knives, forks, spoons, and the like can be positioned and caused to tumble as the apparatus progresses longitudinally on the track 17 of an automatic conveyor-type washer.

More specifically, the present apparatus, as shown, is provided with a pair of parallel elongated frame members 12 and 12', between which extend at spaced intervals a pair of transversely disposed exterior upright support members, 13 and 14, and at least one interior upright support member 15, each of the support members having a plurality of slots 18 at spaced intervals along the upper surface thereof. A plurality of perforated cylinders 16 are rotatably carried in alternating sequence between any two adjacent support members in such a manner that the shafts, 19 and 21, extending from each end of the cylinder 16 are operatively journaled in a slot 18 of each of the adjacent support members. In illustration, shaft 1? of one cylinder 16 is iournaled in a slot 18 of the interior support member 15 and shaft 21 is journaled in a slot 18 of the exterior support member 13, while shaft 19 of another cylinder 16 is journaled in sequence in the next adjacent slot 18 of the interior support member 15 and shaft 21 of this latter cylinder is journaled in a slot 18 of the exterior support member 14. Each of the shafts 21 journaled'in a slot 18 of either of the exterior support members, 13 and 14, is provided with friction wheel drive 22 adapted for engagement with the track 17 of an automatic conveyor-type washer.

In the preferred embodiment of the present apparatus, as shown in FIG. 2, the rotatable cylinder 16 consists in two interlocking hollow body sections, 23 and 24, each of which is perforated and one of which is insertably mounted within the other. Half section 24-is a right cylinder, the closed end of which is provided with an axial shaft 21 adapted with friction wheel drive 22 and the open end of which is adapted to receive the insertable portion 25 of the open end of the right cylindrical half section 23. The body portion of section 23 is provided with a stop-ring 26, which regulates the degree to which section 23 may be inserted into section 24, and the closed-end portion of section 23 is provided with an axial shaft 19.

Prior to assembly of the cylinder 15, the'half section 23 of the cylinder is placed in a sorting rack 27, as shown in FIG. 3. In this manner,the circumferential stop ring 26 supports the section 23 in an upright position in the rack 27 and the open truncated end of the section 23 is exposed to receive the contaminated utensils. After the half section 23 is adequately filled with the various items of cutlery, the truncated end of this section 23 is then inserted into half section 24 andboth sections areinterlocked to form a cylinder 16 of closed end construction.

FIGS. 4 to 8 illustrate the 'processby which the two body sections 23 and 24 are interlocked together. As shown in H68. 4 and 5, the circumferential band 28 around the open end of half section 24 is provided with a projection 29 in the form of a hook which passes through the opening '31 in stop-ring 26 when the lower body section 23 is inserted into the upper body section 24. The hooked portion of projection 29 is then engaged witha locking tab 32 on stoP-ring'Zd-by a twisting action and the two sections are interlocked as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.

After the cylinder 16 is assembled, it is mounted between any two adjacent support members. In mounting cylinder 16 on the support members, as shownin FIGS. 9 and 10, axial'shaft 19 is 'ournaledin' slot-18 of 'the'interior support member 15 and shaft 21 is journaled in slot 18 of exterior member'13. When-the'frame is mounted on the conveyor track of the'conventional dishwasher, the axis of rotation of'the indiv-idual cylinders is lifted by engagement of the drive wheel ZZ'with-the'floor of the individual slots. Thus, a point-to-pointcontact between the axle and the slot-is maintained, keeping friction'to a minimum during rotation of thecylinder. The cylinder axle and slot'structure of the apparatus permitthe cylinder to serve as-rollers as the apparatus is moved along the tray feed platform to the wash-region of thewasher. The rate of rotation of each of'the cylinders 16 mounted between the support members, 13, 14, and '15, iscontrolled by means of drive'wheel 22 whichoperatively engages track'17 as theapparatusprogresses longitudinally along the conveyor-track of the automatic washer. -In this manner, the utensils within the cylinder 16 are caused to tumble as the appara'tus'is moved along the conveyortrack through the wash-zone of the washer and the entire surface of each of the utensils is exposed to the cleansing and rinsing solutions utilized in the washing operation. After the washing operation is completed, the light-weight carrier is moved along the delivery counter and may be simply lifted from the conveyor-track as a unit through the use of bars 20 and 20' adapted on frame members 12 and 12., at which time,each of the cylinders 16 may be individually removed from the carrier and emptied of their contents.

It is apparent-from-the foregoingdescription and drawings that we have invented'an improved apparatus for use in washing cutlery. Thisimproved conveyor is adaptable for use on a conventional tray Washer without any modification of the washer, whereby conventional tray racks and cutlery washers could be commingled and fed through the conventional washer at random. Through the use of this apparatus, the time required for cleaning has been dramatically reduced. It was assumed with the use of devices heretofore available that --at least tumbling cycles were needed to effectively wash cutlery and that tumbling increased cutlery washing efiiciency. Ithas now been discovered that excellent results can be achieved Withbut-a few cycles through the use of the-present apparatus. In addition, a reduction of the displacement volume of the normal cutlery washer was accomplished by providing three separate perforated cylinders for the single cylinder of much greater diameter required by the prior art. The use of a plurality of rotatable cylinders also .permitted pre-wash sorting of the contaminated utensils and eliminated post-washing sorting of any type.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art in view of the above teachings. For instance, in one modification, as shown in FIG. 11, the apparatus is provided with two support members, 13 and 14, between which are mounted a plurality of perforatedcylinders 16, each of which has a unitary body adapted with a removable end encloure 22 providing ingress into the cylinder 16. Also, if desired, the drive means --22 which rotates cylinder 16 may be either electrical or mechanical in nature including friction-drive, spring-action drive, chain-drive, or ordinary-gear-drive. Eachand-every one of these variations is apparent in view of the'presen-t teaching. It is therefore to be understood that the invention as set forth in the appended claims may be-practiced otherwise than as described.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for use in'washing cutlery comprising, in combination:

a plurality of parallel elongated frame members;

a plurality of upright support members disposed at spaced'intervals between said frame members,

each of said'support members provided with slots at spaced intervals along the uppersurface there of;-and 'a plurality of perforated cylinders rotatably carried at-spaced intervals between anytwo of said-upright members by shafts 'journaled in said slots and provided with friction wheel drive.

2. An apparatus for use in washing cutlery comprising, in combination:

a pair of parallel elongated frame members;

a pair of upright support members transversely disposed between said frame members; and

a plurality of perforated cylinders rotatably carried between said suppont members on individual shafts provided with friction wheel drive for rotation.

3. An apparatus for use in washing cutlery comprising, in combination:

a pair of parallel elongated frame members;

a pair of upright support members transversely 'disposed between said frame members,

each of said support members provided with slots at spaced intervals along the upper surface thereof; and

a plurality of perforated cylinders carried between said support members by individual rotatable shafts provided with friction wheel drive for rotation,

each of said shafts being operatively carried by a slot in each of said support members.

4. An apparatus for use in washing cutlery comprising,

in combination:

a pair of parallel elongated frame members;

a pair of upright support members transversely disposed between said frame members,

each of said support members provided with slots at spaced intervals along the upper surface thereof; and

a plurality of perforated cylinders carried between said support members on terminal shafts provided with friction wheel drive for rotation,

one of said shafts of any one of said cylinders being carried by a slot of one of said support members and the other of said terminal shafts of the same cylinder being carried by a slot of the other of said support members.

5. An apparatus for use in washing cutlery comprising, in combination:

a pair of parallel elongated frame members;

a pair of exterior upright support members and at least one interior upright support member transversely disposed between said frame members; and

a plurality of perforated cylinders rotatably carried between adjacent support members.

6. An apparatus for use in washing cutlery comprising,

in combination:

a pair of parallel elongated frame members;

a pair of exterior upright support members and at least one interior upright support member transversely disposed at spaced intervals between said frame members, and

a plurality of perforated cylinders rotatably carried in alternating sequence between said adjacent upright support members on individual shafts provided with friction wheel drive for rotation.

7. An apparatus for use in washing cutlery comprising,

in combination:

a pair of parallel elongated frame members;

a pair of exterior upright support members and at least one interior upright support member,

each member transversely disposed at spaced intervals between said frame members and having a plurality of slots along the upper surface thereof; and

a plurality of perforated cylinders rotatably carried between adjacent support members on individual shafts provided with friction wheel drive for rotation;

each of said shafts operatively carried by a slot in each of said adjacent support members.

8. An apparatus for use in washing cutlery comprising,

in combination:

a pair of parallel elongated frame members;

a pair of exterior upright support members and at least one interior upright support member,

each member transversely disposed at spaced intervals between said frame members and having a plurality of slots along the upper surface thereof; and

a plurality of perforated cylinders rotatably carried between adjacent support members on terminal shafts one of which is provided with friction wheel drive for rotation,

one of said terminal shafts of any one of said cylinders being carried by a slot of said interior support member and the other terminal shaft of the same cylinder being carried by a slot of one of said exterior support members.

9. An apparatus for use in washing cutlery comprising,

in combination:

a pair of parallel elongated frame members;

a pair of exterior support members and at least one interior upright support member,

each member transversely disposed at spaced intervals between said frame members and having a plurality of slots along the upper surface thereof; and I a plurality of perforated cylinders rotatably carried in alternating sequence between said adjacent upright support members on individual shafts provided with friction wheel drive for rotation,

one of said shafts being carried in sequence by a slot of said interior support member and a slot of one of said exterior support members and another of said shafts being carried in sequence by the next adjacent slot of said interior support member and a slot of the other of said exterior support members.

10. An apparatus for use in washing cutlery comprising,

in combination:

a pair of parallel elongated frame members;

a pair of exterior upright support members and at least one interior upright support member,

each member transversely disposed at spaced intervals between said frame members and having a plurality of slots along the upper surface thereof; and

a plurality of perforated cylinders rotatably carried in alternating sequence between said adjacent upright support members on terminal shafts one of which is provided with friction wheel drive for rotation,

one of said terminal shafts of any one of said cylinders being carried in sequence by a slot of said interior support member and the other terminal shaft of the same cylinder being carried by a slot of said exterior support member and one of said terminal shafts of another of said cylinders being carried in sequence by the next adjacent slot of said interior member and the other terminal shaft of the latter cylinder being car ried by a slot of the other of said exterior support member.

11. An apparatus for use in conveying cylindrical utensil holders along a track of a dishwasher comprising:

a pair of parallel elongated frame members;

a plurality of upright support members transversely disposed at spaced intervals between said frame members,

each of said support members provided with slots at spaced intervals along the upper surface thereof, and

each of said slots in one of said frame members having an axis aligned with an axis of at least another one of said slots in an adjacent frame members.

12. An apparatus for use in conveying cylindrical utensil holders along a track of a dishwasher comprising:

a pair of parallel elongated frame members;

a pair of exterior upright support members and at least one interior upright support member transversely disposed at spaced intervals between said frame members,

each of said support members having a plurality of slots along the upper surface thereof, and

each of said slots in said interior support member having an axis aligned with an axis of g slot in one of said exterior support memers.

13. An apparatus for use in conveying cylindrical utensil holders along a track of a dishwasher comprising:

a pair of parallel elongated frame members;

a pair of exterior upright support members and at least one interior upright support member transversely disposed at spaced intervals between said frame members,

each of said support members having a plurality of slots along the upper surface thereof, and

each of said slots in said interior support member having an axis aligned in alternating sequence with an axis of one of said slots in each of said exterior support members. 14. An apparatus for use as a housing for cutlery comprising:

an inner element having an open end adapted to receive cutlery and a closed end adapted with an axial shaft; a circumferential ring on said inner element; an outer element of open end construction,

one end of said inner element insertabiy mounted through one of said open ends of said outer element; a closure mounted on the other of said ends of said outer element; a circumferential band on said outer element in looking engagement with said ring on said inner element; drive means for rotation of said apparatus provided on said axial shaft extending from said closure. 15. An apparatus for use as a housing for cutlery comprising:

an inner cylindrical element having an open end adapted to receive eutlery anda closed end adapted with an axial shaft; a circumferential ring on said lower element provided with a slot; an outer cylindrical element of open end construction, one endof said inner element insertably mounted through one of said open ends of said outer element, a closure mounted on the other of said ends of said outer element, a

said closure provided with an axial shaft; a circumferential band having a projecting tab pro vided on said outer element,

saidtab projected through said slot and in locking engagement with said ring. on said lower element; drive means for rotation of said apparatus provided onsaid' axial shaft of said closure.

References Cited inv the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

2. AN APPARATUS FOR USE IN WASHING CUTLERY COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A PAIR OF PARALLEL ELONGATED FRAME MEMBERS; A PAIR OF UPRIGHT SUPPORT MEMBERS TRANSVERSELY DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID FRAME MEMBERS; AND A PLURALITY OF PERFORATED CYLINDERS ROTATABLY CARRIED BETWEEN SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS ON INDIVIDUAL SHAFTS PROVIDED WITH FRICTION WHEEL DRIVE FOR ROTATION. 